This watchdog blog, by journalist Norman Oder, offers analysis, commentary, and reportage about the $4.9 billion project to build the Barclays Center arena and 16 high-rise buildings at a crucial site in Brooklyn. Dubbed Atlantic Yards by developer Forest City Ratner in 2003, it was rebranded Pacific Park in 2014 after the Chinese government-owned Greenland Group bought a 70% stake in 15 towers. New York State still calls it Atlantic Yards. Contact: AtlanticYardsReport[at]hotmail.com

Tuesday, June 23, 2015

Unlike in the past two two-week periods, the latest Atlantic Yards/Pacific Park Construction Update--dated June 22 and covering the next two weeks--was not released on the Friday before the official Monday date, but rather was released after hours yesterday, delivered at 5:17 pm.

The most notable element disclosed, as far as I can tell, is coming Saturday work at the B3 tower, 38 Sixth Avenue, that just launched at the northwest corner of Dean Street and Sixth Avenue.

The document states:

*Saturday work to address field conditions within the site will commence during this reporting period. This work includes excavation work including drilling large cobbles.

A "cobble" is defined as a rock that is smaller than a boulder but larger than a pebble. If so, that suggests significant noise.

The document marks "new work" with asterisks and red type, and I have excerpted it below.

B2 Modular Residential tower -- 461 Dean Street:

*Work related to the erection of modules for floors 13 and 14 shall continue during this reporting period. [previously the work related to floors 11, 12, 13]

B3 - 38 Sixth Avenue

*Excavation and foundation activities have commenced & continue during this reporting period.
Work includes drilling of soldier piles for the SOE system, excavation of soil to a depth of 20’ and the installation of lagging to the same elevation. Soil that has been classified as clean, or contaminated will be removed from the site as part of the excavation activities and brought to appropriate disposal locations. Protocols for the trucks entering and exiting the site have been put in place. These protocols provide instruction on roadway routing to and from the project site, queuing of trucks while on site and vehicle idling restrictions.
*The removal of the stationary bollards and retractable bollards will continue to take place during this reporting period.
*Saturday work to address field conditions within the site will commence during this reporting period. This work includes excavation work including drilling large cobbles.

[definition:smaller than a boulder but larger than a pebble.]LIRR Yard Activities – Atlantic Avenue

*MPT on 6th Avenue between Atlantic Avenue and Pacific Street has been restored to two-way traffic.
 One northbound traffic lane and one southbound traffic lane are now open.
Pedestrian crossing at Atlantic and 6th Avenues now takes place at the east, south and north sides of the intersection;
 The sidewalk on the west side of the 6th Avenue Bridge (between Pacific and Atlantic) will remain closed to pedestrians for approximately one week to allow for installation of the roadway plates in this location.

B11 – 550 Vanderbilt Avenue:

*On site preparation for the superstructure phase of construction will commence including the arrival of equipment.